Xiao & Aether angst

十九

A familiar Adeptus stared off into the ocean of darkness. Though the area of the Serenitea pot is calm he couldn't make himself sleep during the best time of rest.

A yawn graced his lips, rubbing his eyes to stay awake. Odd, he had never needed to sleep.

.

Cautiously Aether stepped out of his room, feeling a cool breeze rush through the hallway. His steps were light as the pajamas on him ruffled in the wind. In the main hall he saw Xiao sitting outside on the house's steps. Doors swung open to let the adeptal breeze fill the house. Aether quickly went outside, closing the doors behind him.

A small sigh was left out, walking towards Xiao. Aether sat next to him, staring at the half full moon. "Whatcha thinking about?" Aether asks, smiling softly at his friend.

"I've always hated how mortals are so open. Yet, I feel compelled to tell you this after all we've been through. At what point does this cycle end?" Xiao murmured to the moon, Aether curiously tilted his head. "For so long I've had to fight for nothing and earn nothing. Traveler I don't expect a happy ending, I just want it to end. For karma to go away."

Aether let his hand drift to Xiao's back before being slapped away. "I thank you, for the soothing nature of yours. But the torments of today and forever will always haunt me. I will not risk you too," Xiao paused, lips forming a thin line.

"I'm gonna miss you so much." The Yaksha chuckled, turning to Aether and squeezing his hand tightly. "I wish you luck on your journey." With that Xiao turned into thin air, with sparks of black and green.

Aether sat silently, the moons grey light shining on the steps of Aether's home. Acting as a light, a pathway to happiness. Silently sniffling he held air as if Xiao's hand were there. "I miss you already."

.
.

To what do lovers mean to each other? Connection, meaning, safety, comfort. Sometimes love must be broken into two. For better or for worse, things are meant to be and not to be.

Xiao let out a cough, his end was near, darkness clouded his visions as he silently endured the pain. Leaving the teapot, he appeared in Havria's abode. Collapsing to his knees as he coughed, his reflection shown in Sal Terrae's murky waters.

He was not the Xiao the blond grew to know, instead in his reflection it was replaced by spirits of the dead. One more breath

A quick inhale

To exhale, only he could dream, for oxygen left him. His spear shattering as he fell and hit the ground. Eyes empty, though he did not go mad, he knew better than to protest. Accepting death with open arms. In fleeting moments in his mind were two things.

The traveler and what's to come.